Energy poverty is the lack of access to reliable energy, and energy insecurity stems from the lack of affordability and a higher energy burden due to cost, infrastructure, and more. In the midst of a pandemic disproportionately impacting low income and people of color, a federal mandate on energy shut offs would have averted almost 15% of COVID-19 deaths (National Bureau of Economic Research, 2021). In this episode, Rev Yearwood speaks with Shalanda Baker, the deputy director for energy justice in the Department of Energy. Shalanda shares with us her living journey and what prepared her to lead the fight for energy justice. The impact of allocating resources and including environmental justice communities in the restructuring plans. They also speak about the demand for energy justice being equitable for Black and Brown people as we move from fossil fuels to electrification.

The Coolest Show – brought to you by Hip Hop Caucus Think 100% PODCASTS – drops new episodes every Monday on environmental justice and how we solve the climate crisis. Listen and subscribe here or at TheCoolestShow.com! Follow @Think100Climate and @RevYearwood on Instagram, Twitter, and Instagram.